Appointments

On the day and urgent appointments are bookable on the day. However, doctors’ appointments can also be booked up to 2 weeks in advance.

Appointments to see the practice nurse or healthcare assistant are pre-bookable up to 4 weeks in advance.

Please remember that each general consultation appointment is for one patient only and for ten minutes. If you have multiple problems or if more than one person in the family needs to be seen, please book a double appointment.

It would be helpful if you would be punctual and could cancel any appointments you no longer require. Please note children under 14 should be accompanied by an adult.

Cancelling and rescheduling appointments

If you cannot attend your given appointment please call us to cancel or reschedule. On average 40 people a month fail to turn up for their appointments without informing us.

These slots could be put to good use and offered to another patient, allowing the doctors and nurses to reduce any backlog of patients and reduce waiting times. Please think of others when you can no longer attend or need a scheduled appointment.

Telephone consultations

Some matters, such as reviewing ongoing problems and discussing repeat prescriptions, can be dealt with on the telephone with a doctor or nurse. The practice nurse can discuss immunisation and contraception queries and other matters related to her work. Please ring 01273 744910 or 736030 at 8.30 am and speak to a member of staff to request a phone consultation.

The clinician will ring you back rather than speak to you immediately. Please note that if your phone will not accept anonymous calls the doctor will not be able to contact you in this way.

Home visits

If possible patients should make their way to the medical centre to see their GP or other healthcare professional. This is because for every home visit a GP or nurse makes they could see several patients in the practice, so if you are mobile please come into the surgery to be seen. In cases of severe illness, infirmity, or emergencies, the GP or nurse will visit the patient at home.

If you are too ill to attend please call us before 12.00pm if possible, as rounds have to be planned. You will be asked for a reason for the Home Visit so we can judge the urgency of the call. The doctor may phone before visiting to assess the urgency of the visit.

To arrange a home visit please call the practice on 01273 744910 or 736030.

Special requirements

If necessary, an interpreting service can usually be arranged if you ask the receptionist when booking your appointment. If you need help with explaining your needs you are welcome to bring a friend or family member to your appointment. A British Sign Language interpreting service is also available through Action Deafness Communications (website: www.adcommunications.org.uk) who can be contacted by calling 0844 593 8443 or emailing elainecarnie@actiondeafness.co.uk